🎶 “And you may find yourself with the head of a strange bird 🎵 And you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’”🎶 c. 1300, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, MS 404, f. 113r

The young squire and his horse tried hard to ignore the crest atop the knight’s helmet, but both found it nearly impossible. Who was that little man with the skinny legs and why did he have such large wings? - 14th century, BnF Français 343, f. 10v

A surviving fifteenth-century stained glass roundel from Lincoln Cathedral representing the month of July

“Now, is this one the accelerator, the clutch or the brake?” - c. 1260, British Library, Add. MS 62925, f. 85r

“Now on to the patient’s duvet cover. On a scale from zero to five, how offensive do we find that to be?” - 13th century, Orleans. Bibliothèque municipale, 0393 (337), f. 44r

Accidentally stepping on one of those pointy bits in the margins while in your bare feet - 13th century, BnF Latin 14284, f. 11r

This weekend’s ‘elephant done by a medieval artist that had never seen one’ - 13th century, BnF Latin 14284, f. 18r

Instead of arrows, swords and shields Edmund suggested a winner takes all arm-wrestle to settle their differences - 14th century, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.gall. 16, f. 113v

Having been pranked by the armourer yet again, Sir Devlin would miss one of the greatest jousting upsets in tournament history - 14th century, BnF Français 1753, f. 46r

Caught rat-handed - 13th century, BnF Français MS 25526, f. CXLVIv

‘Married At First Sight: Medieval Edition’ - 13th century, Princeton University Library, Garrett MS. 125, f. 52r

The first rule of Marginalia Fight Club is you do not talk about Marginalia Fight Club - 1300, Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, MS 404, f. 158r

This week’s ‘elephant done by a medieval artist that had never seen one’ - 15th century, Columbia Uni. Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Plimpton 281, f. 64v

While the others remained focused on their assailant, Jack couldn’t remember whether he’d left the oven on again - 14th century, Stuttgart, Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Cod. poet. et phil. 2° 1, f. 15r

Facing up to the fact you were sold some dodgy vellum - 12th century, Staatsbibliothek Bamberg Msc.Patr.41, f. 69r

Brian the village idiot on a night out - 1300, Digitalisierte Sammlungen, Sächsische Weltchronik : Ms. germ. fol. 129, f. 102r

Unaware they are meant to be peeled, John’s first experience with a banana was not the taste sensation he’d been promised - c. 1300, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 130, t. II, f. 110r

Just days before the richly illuminated manuscript was due to be completed, Brother Thomas discovered that the monks had been copying the wrong book all along - 14th century,  BnF Français 13096, f. 15r

With a handful of songs in their heart and a lute for accompaniment, ‘Simon and Carbuncle’ entertained crowds of people in towns and cities throughout late medieval Europe - 15th century, BnF Français 2643, f. 72r

Simon felt certain he could smell something burning - 15th century, BnF Français 9140, f. 187r

Brother Reginald interpreted the bishop’s ‘Unlock Your Potential’ sermon very differently from the other monks - 13th century, British Library, Sloane MS 2435, f. 44v

Beware the Hare - 13th century, BnF Français MS 25526, f. LXr

Dave and Gary were instrumental to the defensive assault during the Siege of Buttcrag - 13th century, BnF Français 2754, f. 93r

“Oi !! -- I swear, one more round of ‘Little Bo-Peep’ and things are going to get wild and woolly around here!” - 14th century, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.gall. 16, f. 7v

With leeches latched onto his legs, Desmond now wished he hadn’t listened to the village influencer about ways to fix his ‘vibe’ - 13th century, British Library, Sloane MS 2435, f. 15v

Nothing angered Dave more than being referred to as a ‘lucky duck’. It wasn’t luck at all. He’d worked hard to get to where he was. He paid his own bills, and even managed to create a nest egg for himself - 15th century, Oxford University, St John's College MS 82, f. 148r

Time for another ‘elephant done by a medieval artist that had never seen one’ - 14th century, Bodleian Library MS. Michael 619, f. 130r

“You okay? I hate it when they fight.” - 13th century, British Library, Royal MS 12 F XIII, f. 42v

Annoyed at being left out of the manuscript’s many beautifully painted and gilded miniatures, Brother Alwyn decided to stage an angry protest in the margins - 13th century, British Library, Sloane MS 2435, f. 28v

Dubbed ‘Sir Bragsalot’ by his fellow soldiers and indeed the king, Neville stood spinning another tall tale about the seven foot giant he defeated in battle whose legs were “as thick as tree trunks this big!” - 14th century, BSB Cod.gall. 16, f. 36r

“Honestly, it’s always like this. They’re always dragon me down.” - 15th century, Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 5 (83.ML101), f. 14v

“Anyone else seeing this? Probably time for those strange, foraged mushrooms to come off the menu!” - 15th century, Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.126, f. 146r

Sustainable ‘Farm-To-Battle’ farming, because medieval warriors don’t grow on trees - c. 1400, Bodleian Library MS. Douce 371, f. 129r

Time for a wonderfully bizarre ‘elephant done by a medieval artist that had never seen one’ - 14th century, Lyon. Bibliothèque municipale, Ms 742, f. 79v

‘Eddie and the Blacksmiths’, an experimental, early 15th century lute and anvil band, had a string of hits with songs like ‘Drop It Like The Iron’s Hot’ and ‘For Whom The Bellows Toll’ - 15th century, Národní Muzeum, 1. A. c. 75, f. 1-5

Emma quickly realised that the date was a total disaster when he began to tell her yet another story about ‘Mummy’; this time how she always cooks the feet for him just the way he likes them - 15th century, BnF Ms-5070, f. 211v

This was the last time Nigel was ever seen. Sadly for him, he’d failed to notice the huge, sinister bee in hive 13 just waiting for him to become distracted - 14th century, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.gall. 16, f. 57r

He used an instrument that was much larger than required to do the job, but Kevin the rabbit hunter was a man who always liked to be certain - 14th century, British Library, Add. 36684, f. 69r

“Hey Terry, you’ve lost weight! Be truthful, are you using one of those new apothecaries’ wonder-draughts, Montjareau or Elixir of Osympic?” - 14th century, Bodleian Library MS. Selden Supra 57, f. 67v

“You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya’…MONK ?!?” - 15th century, Forteresse de la for, Valenciennes, BM, 0244 (234)

“Here’s another one for you. ‘My mother-in-law has started coming over every evening. She’s become a literal night-mare !!’” - 13th century, BnF Français 95, f. 61v

Having swallowed a grandmother whole, tricked a little girl out of her basket of food before taking her cloak, the wolf suddenly stopped himself and began to wonder who it was that he had become - 15th C, Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 5 (83.ML101), f. 196r

Thomas and Joan went from village to town opening stubborn jars lids for citizens for the price of just a single farthing - 14th century, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.gall. 16, f. 62v

“Alright lads, we’ve got the element of surprise on our side. They’ll never know we’re coming” - 14th century, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod.gall. 16, f. 70v

I really want to talk ghosts and spooky stuff! If anyone has a podcast or knows of any looking for guests I'd love to be involved! #ghosts #spooky #podcasts #ukpodcast

Just passing the time in the margins - A doodle at the end of this 14th century manuscript, Engelberg. Stiftsbibliothek Cod. 339, f. 189r

There once was a guy called Dave, Just recently returned from the grave. He was a happy chap, With a big brown hat. Always ready with a smile and a wave. 2nd half of the 15th century, British Library, Add. MS 37049, f. 32r

The risk of springing your ‘Trojan Horse’ surprise a minute too soon - 15th century, Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.126, f. 12v

Gary’s uncanny ability to gain the attention of bartenders and taxi drivers made him very popular among his group of friends - 13th century, British Library, Add. MD 70000, f. 9r

“It’s from the enemy Sire. They say they would rather settle this dispute with a dance off.” - 13th century, BnF Français, f. 28r